In the center of Mogadishu, on the streets of Somalia, you can see something unusual: a tall woman in a black uniform on a horse, distinguishing herself from the standard picture of the streets of her homeland, filled with tuk-tuks and motorcycles. Shukri Osman Musa prides herself on being the 'first rider' in her conservative country and says: 'This has been my dream for most of my life.'
Shukri, who is 25 years old, has only recently walked the streets of Somali capital on her magnificent horse, dressed in a black cowboy hat that complements her long black attire, while her oversized sunglasses obscured her eyes and part of her face.
Although the young athlete started practicing horseback riding only in the middle of last year, she aims to join the Somali equestrian federation to represent her country on the international stage. She says she hopes to 'overcome the multitude of obstacles' to fulfill her dream.
Shukri recounts that she initially did not know where to find a horse. Some residents, seeing Shukri Osman Musa passing by with confident strides, believe that this image symbolizes the gradual return of peace to Mogadishu, which once was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world.